12:50 Kelso

Sunday 12 January 2020

All12:2012:5013:2513:5514:3015:0015:35

William Hill Leading Racecourse Bookmaker Handicap Chase

Off time: 12:53 | Winning time: 5m 58.10s

Mr Mcgo^p¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 119

9/4

Has been thereabouts in all three starts so far this term, the latest in a decent Kempton novices' handicap (2m4f, soft). Drops 2lb here and also in class, so has to be taken seriously.

Form: F54-234

Well Above Par²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 119| CD

6/1

Ended a spell in the doldrums when scoring over C&D (heavy) in November. Jumped well that day, and if he can do the same here then he would command plenty of respect, but he has a bit to prove after his latest start.

Form: 745-P14

Ash Park³²⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 11-8| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: W Coltherd| OR: 115| C

14/1

Not ground dependent and no problem getting this trip. Not seen since being pulled up 11-months ago, and although he has gone well when fresh, it would be some effort for him to score from this mark on his reappearance.

Form: 4523/3P-

Mah Mate Bob¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Jonathon Bewley⁽³⁾| T: G Bewley| OR: 112

7/2

Keeps raising the bar and has now won three of his five chases, the latest over 2m3f (soft) at Sedgefield last month. Up in grade here and also raised 4lb, but remains of interest. Contender.

Form: 4-31131

Aloomomo³⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 110| D

7/2

Useful at his best when with Warren Greatrex, for whom he recorded a hat-trick in 2015. Well treated on his form of two years ago, but wasn't seen between April 2018 and last month, and will need to step up on that return effort.

Form: PP270/5

Up Helly Aa King^t⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Grant Cockburn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 108

14/1

Has shown a bit more since wind surgery and scored at Carlisle in March (2m5f, heavy), when 11lb lower. Matched that when 1¾L third behind Charlie Snow Angel at Newcastle on his reappearance. Should be very competitive.

Form: 5/7U21-3

Charlie Snow Angel^t⁴³

Age: 11| Weight: 10-11| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 104| C

16/1

In good form and seeking a hat-trick after back-to-back Newcastle wins. Will need a career-best to do so, and while he has to be much respected, it would be a bit of a surprise if there is much more to come from him at 11.

Form: 33-2311

Knocknamona¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: Alain Cawley| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 96

18/1

Out of sorts so far this season, which has seen him slip to a very handy mark that is 7lb lower than when he scored at Carlisle (2m4f, soft) 11-months ago. Not written off, but plenty to prove too.

Form: 6-77744

Non-Runners

Tanarpino³²

Weight: 12-0| Age: 9

T: J Candlish J: Sean Quinlan

Forecasts

Mr Mcgo (9/4), Aloomomo (7/2), Mah Mate Bob (7/2), Well Above Par (6/1), Tanarpino (10/1), Up Helly Aa King (14/1), Ash Park (14/1), Charlie Snow Angel (16/1), Knocknamona (18/1)

A competitive contest, where several have claims, including Tanarpino, Well Above Par, Mah Mate Bob and Aloomomo. Up Helly A King is another interesting and unexposed runner, while Charlie Snow Angel clearly can't be ruled out. However, MR MCGO drops both in class and a little in the handicap this time, and Brian Hughes can steer him home in front.